50 Years Of Asean And Singapore

On the 8th of August 2017, ASEAN will celebrate the 50th anniversary of its founding. ASEAN is of great importance to Singapore, the region and the world. In 1967, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN in short, was founded by five countries in Southeast Asia which had just gained independence from their former colonial masters, united by a determination for the region to live in peace and stability. Singapore was one of the five founding members of ASEAN, together with Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand. The grouping was joined later by Brunei (1984), Vietnam (1995), Laos and Myanmar (1997), and finally, Cambodia (1999). ASEAN is today a very successful inter-governmental organization which promotes peace, stability, economic development and regional integration. This volume brings together 46 essays written by Singaporeans who have played a part in the partnership between ASEAN and Singapore. The reader will be able to glean an insight into the workings of ASEAN and Singapore's contributions to ASEAN through the lens of diplomats, academics, civil society leaders and officials. Contents: Foundational Documents of ASEANASEAN's ChallengesASEAN's Landmark AchievementsASEAN's External RelationsMaking of the ASEAN CharterASEAN and Civil SocietySingaporeans in ASEANPost-Charter ASEANASEAN's Future Readership: Academics, scholars, diplomats & civil society interested in ASEAN and Singapore. Keywords: ASEAN;Singapore;Regional GroupsReview:0

In 2015, Singapore marks the 50th anniversary of its independence, and the United Nations (UN) the 70th anniversary of its founding. This book celebrates 50 years of a mutually beneficial relationship between Singapore and the UN. In the early years of Singapore's independence, the UN system provided Singapore with many benefits which were helpful in Singapore's journey from the Third World to the First. As Singapore has made progress in its developmental journey, it is now able to give back to the international community through programmes such as the Singapore Cooperation Programme (SCP), under which officials from developing countries are offered training in areas which are beneficial to their countries. Singapore has actively contributed to improving global governance and strengthening institutions that are important to the management of global issues at the UN, IMF, World Bank, IMO, etc. The Singapore Government has also sent its soldiers and police officers to participate in UN's peace-keeping and peace-making operations. This volume brings together 45 essays by Singaporeans who have made or are making important contributions to the work of the UN system. The reader will be able to learn about the UN as seen through the eyes of Singaporeans who have served as Ambassadors to the United Nations in New York and Geneva, the World Trade Organization, or as professional staff in the various specialised agencies, programmes and funds that are part of the UN. We hope that the life stories and experiences shared by the essayists will remind readers that although Singapore is a very small country, we are a good global citizen and have tried to make this a better world. Contents:Foreword by PM Lee Hsien LoongMessage by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moonPreface by Tommy Koh, Li Lin Chang and Joanna KohStatement to the 20th Session of the General Assembly by S RajaratnamAddress to the UN 50th Anniversary Special Commemorative Meeting by Goh Chok TongUnited Nations (New York)United Nations (Geneva) · WTO · GATTUnited Nations Specialised AgenciesUnited Nations PeacekeepingUnited Nations Secretariat Readership: Statesmen, policy-makers, diplomats, scholars and anyone who may be interested in Singapore and the United Nations, and international relations. Keywords:United Nations;Singapore;GLobal Governance;UN System;Nation-Building;Small State

2018 marks the 50th anniversary of the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute. The Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, as it was then called, was established in 1968 by then Deputy Prime Minister Dr Goh Keng Swee in order to enable the newly independent city-state better understand the region and its complexities. Since its establishment, ISEAS has dedicated itself to researching the political, economic and socio-cultural dynamics and trends in Southeast Asia for policymakers, scholars, and other relevant stakeholders. On 12 August 2015, the Institute was officially renamed ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute, in honour of Singapore’s first President. This book presents three public lectures given to commemorate the Institute’s Golden Anniversary. Professor Leonard Y. Andaya delivered the first lecture entitled “Developments in the Scholarship of Southeast Asian Studies” on 21 February 2018. The second public lecture was delivered by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on 13 March 2018. Professor Wang Gungwu delivered the final public lecture entitled “Before Southeast Asia: Passages and Terrains” on 3 October 2018. Collectively, these three public lectures exhort ISEAS to continuously reflect on its research agenda, the region, as well as the contemporary landscape and challenges it has to operate in.

' In the 50th anniversary year of Singapore''s independence, it is timely to trace our developmental journey in order that young Singaporeans students, visiting tourists and foreigners working in Singapore may be informed about why and how Singapore succeeded, despite tremendous odds. The two volumes relate the developmental stories and secrets of Singapore, so that other developing countries can be inspired to achieve their own successes. It is a story worth telling, so that the great achievements by our Pioneer Generation will be recorded, and which may serve as an inspiration to the younger generations to guide them for the next 50 years. Contents:Volume 1:Foreword by Ambassador Tommy KohIntroductionHow Singapore Manage Political DissentThe Idea of SingaporeSingapore''s Success in Creating a National IdentitySingapore as a Developmental ModelWhy Are Some Countries Exceptional?If China Can Learn from Singapore, Why Not Vice Versa?Graduation Address at James Cook University ConvocationHow to Build CharacterThe Practical Application of KnowledgeHuman Resource Development (HRD) in SingaporeKnowledge Economy: The Intellectual Development of SingaporeVolume 2:Foreword by Ambassador Simon D''CruzIntroduction: The Three DreamsA Tale of Three Cities: Shanghai, Hong Kong and SingaporeTwelve Points on Singapore''s Foreign PolicySingapore–Japan RelationsWhy Singapore Needs the United NationsLessons from Our HistoryWhat Singapore May Offer to RussiaSingapore-India RelationsThe Soft Power of SingaporeAfterword: The Struggle for Singapore Readership: Students, economists, political scientists and the general public interested in the following areas: the achievements of Singapore; economic development, political governance and leadership issues in Singapore; and ASEAN affairs. Key Features:It is written simply so that students and young adults can understand the story of modern SingaporeIt is written as essays which deal with key aspects of the Singapore story, so it goes beyond a simple historyIt deals with recent events and trends, so it is timely and relevantSingapore is one of the Four Asian Tiger economies, whose economic achievements serve to guide and inspire the next wave of rising Asian economies, such as the rest of ASEAN countries, China, India and elsewhere in the world. This book is useful for many readers who may be curious to learn in further detail how Singapore overcame tremendous obstacles to achieve a respected position in the worldKeywords:Singapore;Systems;Development;History;Features;Politics;National Identity;Nation-Building;Human Resource Development;Knowledge Economy;Foreign Policy;Singapore–Japan Relations;Singapore–China–Hong Kong Relations;Singapore–Russia Relations;Singapore-India Relations;Soft Power'

The first 50 years of ASEAN integration has brought peace and prosperity to the Southeast Asian region, while the next 50 will undoubtedly be fraught with unprecedented challenges. Today ASEAN not only has to contend with its own internal challenges arising from the highly diverse political, economic and socio-cultural systems of its member countries, it also has to deal with external factors which include shifts in geostrategic balance, fraying global consensus on free trade, populism and xenophobia, climate change, digital revolutions and cybercrimes. Set against the above background, this edited collection considers some of the contemporary issues and challenges faced by ASEAN in its journey towards more cohesive and dynamic regional integration. Among the topics explored are ASEAN’s evolving partnerships with its key strategic partners including China and the United States on economic policies and strategies, educational systems and frameworks, migration and environmental threats.

As Singapore enters its 50th year of independence, it is a good time to reflect on its past as well as look to the future. 50 Years of Singapore-Europe Relations: Celebrating Singapore's Connections with Europe is one such contribution to the wide collection of books commemorating Singapore's 50th birthday. The essays and articles in this edited volume capture historical moments, reveal the heartfelt wishes and thoughtful comments of Europeans who have made Singapore their home, chronicle some of the long-standing partnerships and ponder the future challenges of Singapore. This unique book contains a wide range of essays and articles reflecting on the strong connections that Singapore enjoys with Europe, not only at the official level, but also through the contributions that Europeans and European companies have made — and continue to make — which enrich Singaporean society. These essays provide a kaleidoscope of views on Singapore — they explore how close ties and partnerships are forged between nations, how businesses see Singapore as a trustworthy partner and place to invest and establish roots, and, at a more personal level, the articles also present different perspectives on the strengths, and at times, the weaknesses of Singapore as viewed through the eyes of Europeans who live and work in Singapore and consider it as their home. In commemorating Singapore's 50th birthday, this book will add to the understanding of the richness and diversity of Singapore society, and help readers appreciate and reflect on how openness and connectivity have contributed to the success of Singapore in its first 50 years. Contents:Introduction: Celebrating Singapore's Connections with Europe — 50 Years and More (Yeo Lay Hwee)Connections and Reflections — Multi-dimensional Facets of Singapore-Europe Relations:Singapore and Europe: 50 Years of Relations (K Shanmugam)Europe's Contributions to Singapore's Contemporary Culture (Michael Pulch)Reflectiing on Singapore's Contributions to Europe (Yeo Lay Hwee)1965 and 2015, Europe and Singapore: Some Changes and Constants in a Cultural Geography Perspective (Barnard Turner)Debunking Some "Euromyths" — Understanding the European Union (EU) and Its Connections to Singapore (Loke Hoe Yeong)The Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM): A Bridge between East and West (Goh Chok Tong)Singapore and the Asia Europe Foundation (ASEF) (Tommy Koh and Peggy Kek)Singapore, Germany and the European Union — Political Dialogue for Closer Cooperation and Mutual Understanding (Wilhelm Hofmeister)Enduring Bilateral Ties:Belgians in Singapore: Helping to Write the City-State's (Hi)story (Gerard Cockx)The Mermaid and the Merlion — 50 Years with Denmark and Singapore (Written by Mathilde Moyell Juul (commissioned by Royal Danish Embassy)Preserving the Excellent Connection between Finland and Singapore through the Young Generation (Tuukka Väisänen)Cultural and Scientific Cooperation between Italy and Singapore (Contribution from the Embassy of Italy and Italian Cultural Institute)Singapore and Luxembourg: Small Partners, Big Visions! (Contribution from the Luxembourg Embassy)Singapore and the Netherlands: Building the Future Together (Katrijn de Ronde, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)Polish People in Singapore: The Foundation of Strong Singapore-Poland Relations (Zenon Kosiniak-Kamysz and Katarzyna Kryczka)Singapore and Slovakia — Friendly Countries with a Strong Story (Michal Slivovič)From Commerce and Industry to Education and Science:From Central Europe to Singapore: Bata and Bat'a (Tomáš Smetánka)From Palm Oil to Consumer Goods' Giant (Benjamin Felix van Roij)Jebsen & Jessen (SEA) — A Singapore Story with European Roots (Benjamin Felix van Roij)Siemens in Singapore — Building Partnerships (Contribution from Siemens and Excel Marco)Science and Research Collaboration between Singapore and Europe (Bertil Andersson and Tony Mayer)Engineering the Future: Academic Excellence between Germany and Singapore (Contribution from TUM Asia (Technische Universität München Asia)Irish Connections — Ireland's Intrepid Educationalists in Singapore (Rosemary Lim)NUS' Connections with Europe: Our Students' Experience with European Partners (Anne Pakir)People Matter(s):Brother Joseph McNally: Son of Ballintubber, Ireland and Singapore (Molly Hennigan and Cheryl Julia Lee)Dr Albert Winsemius: A Dutchman among Singapore's Pioneers (Benjamin Felix van Roij)The Polish Professor Who "Maps our Brains" — Prof Dr Wieslaw L Nowiński (Charles Chia)Art and Science in Singapore in the Last 15 Years — A Personal Journey and Reflection (Isabelle Desjeux)Beppe De Vito — The Italian Restaurateur (Charles Chia)From Croatia to Singapore: Marko Kraljević's Journey (Dexter Lee) Readership: General readers who are interested in looking back at the varied dimensions and aspects of ties between Singapore and Europe over the years; students of political science, international relations and European Studies. Key Features:Contains a great variety of contributions, with reader-friendly textsProvides insights into and an overview of long-established Singapore-based companies with European rootsContains accessible insights into diplomatic and inter-regional relations, including ASEM/ASEF by ESM Goh Chok Tong and Ambassador-at-Large Tommy KohSuitable for a range of readers, from the inquisitive general reader to the specialistTimely publication to coincide with and celebrate Singapore's 50th anniversary of independenceKeywords:Singapore;50th Anniversary–Singapore;Diplomacy;Connections;Singapore-European Union Relations;ASEAN-EU;Asia-Europe Meeting;Singapore-EU Business Connections

Against the backdrop of significant developments in regional economic cooperation and integration over the past decade, this book presents some of the key challenges facing ASEAN as it embarks on a bold and ambitious project to establish an ASEAN Economic Community by 2015. Organized under the auspices of the ASEAN-Australia Development Cooperation Program's Regional Economic Policy Support Facility, the book brings together authoritative studies written by prominent experts and academics on issues pertaining to ASEAN economic integration.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations is a miracle. Why?In an era of growing cultural pessimism, many thoughtful individuals believe that different civilisations-especially Islam and the West-cannot live together in peace. The ten countries of ASEAN provide a thriving counter-example of civilizational co-existence. Here 625m people live together in peace. This miracle was delivered by ASEAN.In an era of growing economic pessimism, where many young people believe that their lives will get worse in coming decades, Southeast Asia bubbles with optimism. In an era where many thinkers predict rising geopolitical competition and tension, ASEAN regularly brings together all the world's great powers.Stories of peace are told less frequently than stories of conflict and war. ASEAN's imperfections make better headlines than its achievements. But in the hands of thinker and writer Kishore Mahbubani, the good news story is also a provocation and a challenge to the rest of the world.This excellent book explains, in clear and simple terms, how and why ASEAN has become one of the most successful regional organizations in the world. - George YeoA powerful and passionate account of how, against all odds, ASEAN transformed the region and why Asia and the world need it even more today. - Amitav Acharya